Valley Preparatory School Redlands California

First grade at Valley Preparatory School seeks to develop and build a strong academic foundation.  Along with academic progress, social and emotional developments are also nurtured.  The children are in a cooperative setting where they feel safe and secure which cultivates independence and responsibility.

Language Arts

In first grade, the goal is to develop and strengthen a love for reading.  The students are encouraged to be independent readers.  They are transitioned from guided reading to independent reading during this year.  To accomplish this goal, a solid, phonics based program is used.  The children learn word attack skills that will enable them to become successful, independent reader.  The students learn to read high frequency words and decode new words in and out of context.  They begin to respond to a print-rich environment and are able to engage in independent silent reading.  They learn to analyze story elements (setting, characters, events, main idea) and apply prior knowledge and personal experience to enhance their reading.  In addition to the phonics, the language arts program also focuses on writing, listening, and speaking skills.

One of the facets of writing skills developed is handwriting.  The students print upper and lower case letters in context.  They also learn and use simple punctuation.  Armed with phonics and handwriting skills they can begin to write creatively, drawing upon their experiences and exposure to various literary styles.  The literature rich environment gives them the opportunity to learn to express and communicate their thoughts and ideas.  In their writing, they are encouraged to use proper grammar rules and multiple criteria to categorize words and ideas.

Good communication skills are developed through listening and speaking.  This can be attained via question and answer periods throughout the day and extends to all other areas of the curriculum.  Communication skills encompass taking turns, using suitable voice level, sustaining topics, giving appropriate responses, and formulating effective questions.

Texts: Sadlier Phonics Level B
Open Court Reading Level 1

Mathematics

The first grade math curriculum revolves around the child and skills that relate to his everyday life.  The children explore concepts such as place value, addition, subtraction, fractions, measurement, money, time, geometry, and probability.  The children develop a broader base in the areas of graphs, classification, comparisons, and patterns.  Students are given experience working with mathematical concepts that will develop their confidence in working with mathematical ideas.

By year's end, the children should have addition facts for sums to 20 memorized.  Children must also identify plane and three-dimensional shapes.  Students continue working with patterns and learn to identify and create complex patterns.  Problem solving strategies that were introduced in Kindergarten are taught in a variety of contexts and new strategies are introduced.  Other areas covered are word problems, units of measure, multiple digit addition, and subtraction with regrouping.

Text: Progress in Mathematics Grade 1, Sadlier-Oxford, 2006

Science

The science program in first grade continues the themes and modules that were introduced in the Kindergarten curriculum.  These themes are taught individually and integrated throughout the language arts curriculum.  Students are taught about health and well being, the human body, plant and animal needs, as well as topics in Earth and physical science.  Students go to the science specialist once a week where they perform observations and experiments related to the topic they are learning about in class.  The students are introduced to the scientific method and are taught to observe, make connections, compare and contrast data, and draw appropriate conclusions.

Text: Discover The Wonder, Scott Foresman (supplementary)

Social Studies

The social studies curriculum focuses on the first grader and the world.  They learn about school, friends, and cooperation.  The children also investigate the similarities and differences between town and country, city and suburb.  Places all around the world are also explored and discussed.  Students also learn about the significance of patriotic symbols and holidays.

Again, the social studies program is incorporated with the language arts program with the use of literature and creative writing.  Supplemental books, print, and other materials are used to offer more information and enhance the units.

Text: I Know A Place, Houghton Mifflin